Whereas the previous top-of-the-line Z4, the 3,0i, offered an intriguing, but ultimately so-so, alternative to Porsche’s Boxster, the new Z4-based M Roadster has the underpinnings and sheer power to compete with – and perhaps beat – the Big Daddy Boxster S. Make no mistake, the Z4, looks, feels and is screwed together much better than the Z3 ever was – the previous M Roadster wasn’t offered in South Africa, perhaps fortunately so, because some overseas motoring scribes didn’t rate the punchy ragtop very highly. So, what’s the new Z4-based BMW M Roadster like? Pick a word: awesome, ostentatious, mesmerising or unbridled.
Visually, the M Roadster attacks your senses… Take in all those “flame-surfaced” swishes and let your gaze linger on the Bavarian’s beefy front spoiler, large intake scoops, low-slung kidney grille and double-spoke 18-inch wheels. Despite a few recent design tweaks, the Z4 still has love-it-or-hate-it looks. And don’t forget those four tell-tale M Division exhaust tips, which emit a variety of booms, sonorous snarls and a rich burble that evokes the tang of a woody, well-aged cabernet.
Powered by BMW’s S54 unit – the multiple award-winning 3,2-litre 24-valve engine from E46 M3 – mated with a very slick, short-throw six-speed manual transmission, the M Roadster has an excellent driving position, ideally-sized steering wheel and is tailor-made for open-top cut and thrust driving. Under full acceleration – a pleasureable indulgement – the car’s sticky gumballs scrabble for grip just before the traction control kicks in, and the engine eagerly snarls like a primal beast as the revs rise. Is there a more flexible or responsive six-cylinder engine in the world today?
I have some experience of driving the Z3-based BMW M Coupé and know its engine’s aural characteristics very well. I’d say the older S50 engine had a rounder, smoother sound to it (could it have something to do with the exhaust system fitted to the M Roadster), but at high revs the raspy-voiced newcomer still sounds intoxicating – with the roof up or down…
The Z4 M Roadster’s six-cylinder motor develops 252 kW at 7 900 r/min and 365 N.m of torque at 4 900 r/min, and revs as high as 8 000 r/min. The engine produces 78,75 kW/litre giving the Z4 M Roadster a power-to-weight ratio of 5,6 kg/kW, which is claimed to be better than that of the Boxster S. The power delivery is dramatic, relentless and the engine seems unburstable.
As for its behaviour in the twisties, the M Roadster certainly has bucketfuls of grip, but by virtue of sitting so close to the rear axle, the driver feels every jolt and shimmy of the car’s pert rear end. The M has a firm ride, of course, and feels on-edge when pressing on, but not in a way that would alarm most drivers, funnily enough. The steering felt slightly pointy to me, but then weighed up nicely at higher speeds. I also noticed a touch of body roll under fast, sharp cornering.
As for its total package, the M Roadster is superbly finished. Our test unit had a combination of black leather and faux cherry wood trim, which worked very nicely on the expansive “Enterprise” dashboard. However, the Z4’s interior is not a perfect marriage of form and function. The window controls don’t fall to hand naturally and the soft-top switches are obscured under the self-same “Enterprise” dash and not well illuminated (hard to see at night or in shadow).
I had to marvel at the designer black instrument dials with their elegant lettering and delicate M Division red needles. The dials light up beautifully at night and the red needles are complemented with pretty turquoise pointers for the minor readouts. Attention to detail counts for a lot!
Despite its strictly two-seater configuration and all the other compromises that come with being a roadster, the latest BMW M offering in South Africa can be considered an all-rounder… and here’s why: The car undoubtedly has the performance capabilities to satisfy many sports car aficionados, yet it also possesses the style cache/boutique appeal that would make rich folks part with at least R547 500 for the privilege to be seen in one. If money were no object…